Witch conjuring in the woods In many folklore and fairy tales, witches are often depicted as conjuring spells and practicing their magic in the depths of the dark and mysterious woods. The idea of a witch casting spells in the woods has long captivated the human imagination, conjuring images of secret and forbidden rituals hidden away from the prying eyes of society. The woods have always been associated with a sense of enchantment and otherworldliness. Ancient forests filled with towering trees, tangled underbrush, and a hushed silence seem like the perfect setting for mystical happenings. The atmosphere of the woods, with its dappled sunlight, shifting shadows, and whispering leaves, creates a feeling of being in a realm separate from the mundane world. Witches, with their intimate connection to nature and the elements, are believed to draw power from the energy that resonates within the woods.
Scott : I liked how you made your points about patriarchy and marriage and male-female relations organically within the fibers of the story. Nothing felt forced in or tacked on just to make a thematic or social point. That’s not always true, I find, even in genre fiction. If you could talk a little about how you wrestled with all that when writing the book.
Witch stories work well when you have witches with actual powers and they also work well when the emphasis in the story is psychological, like a Salem witch trial type story, where you have the patriarchy with its fears and cruelty that is labeling certain women witches when at worst those women do things like commune with nature. Alison has a seizure and when Bree the victim-blamer tries to put a Clonazepam tablet under her tongue to control it author s note do not do this , Alison bites her finger off.
Witches, with their intimate connection to nature and the elements, are believed to draw power from the energy that resonates within the woods. It is in the heart of nature that they find solace, inspiration, and the raw ingredients for their spells and potions. The rustling leaves, the scent of earth, and the rhythm of the wind all contribute to the witch's connection with the natural world.
Witch conjuring in the woods
Jordan Barker‘s latest feature film WITCHES IN THE WOODS is, at first glance, your typical vacation-goes-wrong scary movie. A group of college students in Massachusetts are driving to a ski resort and are rerouted due to a road closure. One of them claims to know a shortcut to the lodge…and they get into an accident. The conditions are perilous – there’s at least a foot of snow on the ground already, it’s cold, it’s near dark, and it’s about to start snowing again. And they’re in the middle of nowhere and can’t get a cell signal.
Two members of the group – Alison (played by Sasha Clements) and Todd (played by Kyle Mac) – leave the van to try to flag down some help. Alison returns; Todd does not. From there, the situation quickly spirals from dire to catastrophic.
If you’re thinking the film follows the usual course of killing off the characters one by one, in some ways you’re right. But WITCHES IN THE WOODS goes so much further than just a surface-level lost-in-the-wilderness story.
During the course of WITCHES IN THE WOODS, we learn that Alison recently survived a sexual assault perpetrated by members of the college football team. The attack was filmed and by the time the film takes place, Alison is being pressured by school officials to drop the case. Two of the men on the trip with her, Derek (played by Craig Arnold) and Phillip (played by Corbin Bleu), are on the football team. Also accompanying Alison is her friend Jill (played by Hannah Kasulka), Todd’s brother Matty (played by Alexander De Jordy), and another woman named Bree (played by Humberly Gonzalez). Jill is dating Derek and, it is revealed, is also involved with Philip.
Derek is immediately characterized as arrogant and aggressive, while Phillip seems to be the opposite.
Early in the movie, Bree makes a snide, victim-blaming comment at Alison’s expense and, at a gas station, picks up a pamphlet about the historical significance of the woods the group is driving through: it was the site of a series of witch trials and now the woods are said to be haunted.
In case you need a super quick history lesson, witch trials in colonial America (particularly the Salem With Trials, to which this film alludes), were unspeakably vicious. In Salem alone, over two hundred people were accused of witchcraft – most of whom were women. During this period, people turned on each other, made false accusations, and were subjected to violence, torture, and invasive examinations. We’re not going to go into the full scope of the Salem Witch Trials right now, but suffice it to say that it was an atrocity that produced lasting cultural ramifications and trauma.
But back to the film.
When Alison returns to the van without Todd, she has blood on her clothes and is in a daze. Something happened in the woods; possibly something supernatural. Alison has a seizure and when Bree (the victim-blamer) tries to put a Clonazepam tablet under her tongue to control it (author’s note: do not do this), Alison bites her finger off. In a fit of panic, Bree jerks back and impales her neck on a ski pole; she pulls herself off of it and predictably bleeds out.
The remaining men in the van start to think that Alison is possessed by a malevolent force; Jill isn’t buying it. She’s staying loyal to her friend in the name of logic and sisterhood. But, of course, as the hours grow longer and the temperatures drop, logic falls by the wayside.
The actual presence of supernatural forces in the film is unclear. It’s part of the mystery: is there evil afoot, or are these kids falling prey to paranoia, hypothermia, fear, and the power of suggestion?
But witchcraft isn’t the main focus of the picture. At its core, WITCHES IN THE WOODS is a claustrophobic confrontation of rape culture, misogyny, and toxic masculinity. Alison, already on trial for her own assault, is revictimized by her peers and blamed for the misfortune that befalls them in the woods; Jill is pressured by the two main men in her life to turn on her friend. Derek is haunted by his own awful actions and Philip tries to navigate uncertain waters without making waves.
WITCHES IN THE WOODS is brutal and unpredictable – and wrapped up in some chillingly beautiful cinematography. The ensemble cast delivers gut-wrenching performances and the script, written by Christopher Borrelli, flows naturally and deliberately.
If you’re a fan of films like The Blair Witch Project, The VVitch, and It Comes at Night, it’s very likely you’ll enjoy this movie. WITCHES IN THE WOODS will arrive on Blu-ray June 2, 2020 from Shout Factory.
Scott : The witches kind of follow naturally from the presence of the woods. Which goes with a lot of witch stories where the whole practice of witchcraft is linked to nature, the Earth, something against established human structure, or more specifically, a male-dominated structure. That’s what you have here, with the whole story revolving around a church and its congregation. You set up an almost primal opposition between the traditionally minded men running the church and their wives. Witches in that scenario almost by definition represent pushback against male authority, a subversive force.
Conjuring in the woods often involves the creation of a sacred space or altar where the witch can focus their energy and commune with the spirits of the forest. This space may be adorned with symbols of nature, such as feathers, leaves, and rocks, and may also include candles, incense, or other tools of the trade. The witch will often perform rituals, incantations, and spells to manifest their desires and harness the power of the elements. However, the idea of witch conjuring in the woods also carries a dark and foreboding undertone. The woods, with their deep shadows and unknown dangers, can symbolize the mysterious and unpredictable nature of magic itself. It is a place where witches can tap into the primal forces of the universe, but it is also a place where they may encounter malevolent spirits, faeries, or even other witches competing for power. In conclusion, the concept of witch conjuring in the woods holds a certain allure and mystique. It represents a powerful connection between witches and the natural world, as well as the exploration of hidden knowledge and the pursuit of personal power. Whether for good or ill, the image of a witch practicing her craft in the depths of the woods continues to captivate our imaginations and remind us of the deep ties between magic and nature..
Reviews for "From Fairytales to Reality: Witchcraft in the Woods"
1. Mark - 2 stars
I found "Witch conjuring in the woods" to be rather disappointing. The story lacked depth and the characters were one-dimensional. The plot seemed predictable and lacked any real surprises. Additionally, the writing style was lacking, with poor grammar and repetitive phrasing throughout. I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations.
2. Emily - 1 star
I cannot express just how much I disliked "Witch conjuring in the woods". The storyline was weak and had no real development. The characters were poorly developed and had no redeeming qualities. The dialogue felt forced and unrealistic, making it difficult to connect with the story. Overall, I found this book to be a waste of time and would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Witch conjuring in the woods" but was ultimately disappointed. The pacing was incredibly slow, making it difficult to stay engaged with the story. The descriptions were lackluster and failed to paint a vivid setting. The climax was underwhelming and left me feeling unsatisfied. While the concept had potential, the execution fell short, resulting in a forgettable read.
4. David - 1 star
Unfortunately, "Witch conjuring in the woods" was a complete letdown for me. The writing style was amateurish, with choppy sentences and awkward phrasing. The plot was unoriginal and lacked originality. The characters were flat and lacked depth, making it difficult to care about their fates. Overall, this book was a tedious and uninspiring read that I would not recommend to others.
5. Lisa - 2 stars
I was highly disappointed by "Witch conjuring in the woods". The story felt disjointed and lacked coherence. The pacing was inconsistent, with slow moments dragging on and sudden jumps in the narrative that left me confused. The lack of character development made it difficult to feel invested in the story. While there were some intriguing ideas, they were not explored or developed in a satisfying manner. Overall, I found this book to be a missed opportunity.